Costa High On New Hydration System

AquaLok, a sustainable hydration system from Freedom Garden Products that releases water and oxygen when plants need them, found a suitor in Costa Farms, which will develop new brands using AquaLok technology across garden centers in North and South America.

AquaLok technology allows consumers to expand the watering intervals for their plants, as it cuts the watering schedules in half. Some plant varieties can go a month between watering with the technology.

AquaLok, developed by Joe Byles, CEO and president of Freedom Garden Products, will also be available to other indoor and annual plant growers.

“Although I graduated with an aerospace engineering degree,” Byles says, “I was fortunate to combine my engineering background and work with top landscape and irrigation industries to develop new technologies that improve water conservation and save time and money for consumers.”

Costa Farms will make a presentation on Aqualok at Short Course in Columbus, Ohio, this Monday, July 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. Costa is hosting a cocktail reception at the Hyatt Regency Columbus in Franklin Room C and D. A special presentation will take place at 8.

“(Aqualok) is the biggest revolution to occur in ornamental horticulture in 25 years,” says Mike Rimland, research director at Costa Farms. ” This is really a big deal. It will change the ‘ease and succes factors for the consumer and also maintenance of our goods at retail.'”

The alliance between Costa and and Freedom Garden Products allows Freedom Garden Products to reach every market in the country.

“Aqualok will help consumers succeed at home with potted plants,” Byles says. “Costa’s sales, marketing and distribution expertise will put us on the map very quickly.”

The Aqualok technology also plays a key role in the latest Green Roof applications, as communities across the globe work to improve their eco-system. The Aqualok rooftop panels reduce storm water runoff, provide insulation/energy savings and reduce the carbon emissions in the environment.

“This new partnership with Freedom Garden Products opens new trails in patented technology products for home gardens and commercial applications,” says Jose Smith, CEO and president of Costa Farms.

Costa is test marketing the product this year in a limited rollout, with a full launch planned for Spring 2010.

10 comments on “Costa High On New Hydration System”

How amazing! Do I understand that aqualok would set at the bottom of your pot/bag and the plug would be planted into a soil medium above the aqualok? Or can you plant directly into the foam? I grow five lisianthus plants in a 5lt grow bag and wondered how a disc would do in the bag to keep the medium moist- 25 bags per sq metre on 5000 sqm. I have many questions and look forward to hearing back from you.

The foam is placed into the bottom of the container that you are growing in and filled the remainder of the pot with soil. We are currently suggesting a 50/50 combination of foam and the soil. The planting is done directly into the soil and not the foam, allowing it to work with current production methods. Currently in Florida we are producing the product in the nursery with a hole in the container. Once the product is finished, the hole is plugged and the great benefits begin. During the production cycle, the plant is able to be grown side by side with it’s normal 100% soil counterparts. Once the hole is plugged, you cannot overwater the plant. The foam is trapping air in the foam itself, allowing the plant to survive in a fully watered container. We have maintained plants completely full of water, growing in the foam, for over 9 weeks now. Doing the same with straight soil resulted in death in less than a week.

If you have any other questions/comments, I would be happy to answer them.

I am wanting to split a hanging basket into 2 pots. I purchased this basket with aqualok inside. I have yet to pull the plant from the pot. I am assuming that I just cut the foam in half for each pot??? Also, what happens if the pots get rained on? Would the extra water just run over the top since you aren’t supposed to take the plug out??? Thanks.

How amazing! Do I understand that aqualok would set at the bottom of your pot/bag and the plug would be planted into a soil medium above the aqualok? Or can you plant directly into the foam? I grow five lisianthus plants in a 5lt grow bag and wondered how a disc would do in the bag to keep the medium moist- 25 bags per sq metre on 5000 sqm. I have many questions and look forward to hearing back from you.

The foam is placed into the bottom of the container that you are growing in and filled the remainder of the pot with soil. We are currently suggesting a 50/50 combination of foam and the soil. The planting is done directly into the soil and not the foam, allowing it to work with current production methods. Currently in Florida we are producing the product in the nursery with a hole in the container. Once the product is finished, the hole is plugged and the great benefits begin. During the production cycle, the plant is able to be grown side by side with it’s normal 100% soil counterparts. Once the hole is plugged, you cannot overwater the plant. The foam is trapping air in the foam itself, allowing the plant to survive in a fully watered container. We have maintained plants completely full of water, growing in the foam, for over 9 weeks now. Doing the same with straight soil resulted in death in less than a week.

If you have any other questions/comments, I would be happy to answer them.

I am wanting to split a hanging basket into 2 pots. I purchased this basket with aqualok inside. I have yet to pull the plant from the pot. I am assuming that I just cut the foam in half for each pot??? Also, what happens if the pots get rained on? Would the extra water just run over the top since you aren’t supposed to take the plug out??? Thanks.

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